Mets notebook: Wheeler heads to minors to refine his game

PORT ST. LUCIE — Pitcher Zack Wheeler had the goal of making the New York Mets’ roster out of spring training camp, but that came to an end Sunday morning when the right-hander, the organization’s top pitching prospect, was reassigned.

“My mindset coming in was to make the team,” said Wheeler of the demotion. “They told me just to keep working down there (in the minors). I think I need to put everything together and work on my command ... every inning and every pitch. Just refine everything, I guess.”

A strained right oblique injury limited the Georgia native to only one spring training appearance, a two-inning scoreless outing against Washington on Feb. 23. He was shut down more than a week ago after hurting himself while hitting in the cage, but did throw off the mound Thursday.

“I don’t think the injury helped,” he said, wryly.

Obtained from San Francisco in 2011 in a trade that sent Carlos Beltran to the Giants, Wheeler, 22, is a prized piece in the Mets’ rebuild. He is rated as one of the top five pitching prospects in baseball.

“I’m not happy, but the injury set me back a bit. I only got out there one time; that’s what I’m kind of mad about. I want to get out there and prove myself,” he said.

Manager Terry Collins, general manager Sandy Alderson and pitching coach Dan Warthen brought Wheeler into the office and broke the news to him.

“My goal was to make it out of spring training. Now, another goal is to be up here as soon as possible. When I’m ready, I’ll be up here. I hope that’s sooner than later,” said Wheeler.

He added that he sought the advice of fellow right-handed starter Matt Harvey, who experienced the same fate last year in camp.

Wheeler is ticketed for Las Vegas, the Mets’ new Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.

OTHER CUTS

Joining Wheeler in being farmed out to minor league camp were pitchers Collin McHugh, Hansel Robles, Elvin Ramirez, Gonzalez Germen and Darin Gorski. Also on the list were first-round selection Reese Havens, Juan Lagares, Cesar Puello and Wilfredo Tovar.

The Mets now have 45 players in camp.

BACK AT IT

While Wheeler’s morning didn’t start off as he would like it, he did make a return to the mound in a simulation. He fired off 27 pitches during one inning of work.

“It felt good, but my timing was off. My pitches weren’t crisp. I’ve only thrown two innings in a real game to live batters (this spring), so it was kind of different out there,” he said.

Wheeler said he expects to get in a live game soon and increase his pitch count as the spring continues.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll probably reach 70 (pitches) once the season starts, and I’ll be good to go,” he said following the simulation and a running session.

FINALLY THROWING

Pitcher Frank Francisco threw off a mound Sunday for the first time since camp opened Collins said he heard the session was fine and that Rodriguez threw the ball well.

GAME RECAP

METS 3, CARDINALS 0

Game changer: Seven Mets pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout of St. Louis. New York pitchers retired 13 of the final 14 Cardinal hitters to end the game.

Hitting highlights: Mets — Jamie Hoffman hooked a two-run double, the only New York extra-base hit, down the left-field line in the eighth for a 3-0 lead. Jordany Valdespin accounted for the other RBI with a single that plated Travis d’Arnaud. Cardinals — Shane Robinson, Rob Johnson and Kolten Wong tallied the hits for St. Louis, all singles. Johnson also had a stolen base.

Notable pitching: Mets — Starter Shaun Marcum allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings pitched, striking out two and walking none. Scott Rice, Jeurys Familia and Greg Burke tossed hitless innings. Carlos Torres worked the ninth for the save. Cardinals — Starter Jaime Garcia hurled five scoreless innings and gave up four hits and two walks. Ex-Marlin Edward Mujica took the loss by allowing a run in the eighth.